Pleasant Street School News
building a community of learners that strive for excellence
February 7, 2016
Snow Day! Hopefully you had a chance to play?!!
Given that we live in New England a snow day was bound to happen sooner or later. For this principal's part, I glad we made it to February without one. So you know, the decision to delay or to close school is made by the superintendent in consultation with the bus company, the highway department, conditions on the ground, and area weather forecasts. This decision is carefully made and one that is ultimately done to promote safety for all and especially for your children.
As we return to school tomorrow please make sure your children have sufficient warm weather clothing. In order to be out in the snow-children need warm gloves/mittens, boots, snow pants, a hat, and a winter jacket. Please label your children's clothes! We want to minimize lost or mistaken items. Children also need sneakers or shoes to change into for being inside. Thank you.
Celebrations! 100 day projects: Part 1
It's been a fun week as students have been excited to share their 100 day projects! Our school lobby looks fantastic with so many of these creative creations. To see pictures of 100 day projects please click on the video link. We will feature additional projects next week.
Sock Hop and Go Gold Event on February 12th
Proud Puzzler!
Fossil Fun in Second Grade
February is Black History Month
Our month long celebration of Black History month continues. We have included some websites and resources linked below to explore and to share with your children. The Reading Rockets site, in particular, has recommended children's books, family activities, interviews, writing prompts, and more. This is a wonderful way to spend family time and to enhance your child or children's background knowledge of our larger community and world.
http://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/blackhistory
http://fun.familyeducation.com/black-history-month/holidays/32871.html
http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/black-history-month
http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/13-ways-celebrate-black-history-month
Math Warm Ups in first grade
100 perfect days
Student Council on the 100th day
Winter MAPS testing
We assess using MAPS in the fall, mid-winter, and in the spring. MAPS is a benchmark progress monitoring tool that allows educators to examine academic skills and concepts the student has learned and what they’re ready to learn next within content areas. "MAP assessments are grade independent and adapt to each student’s instructional level. Every item on a MAP assessment is anchored to a vertically aligned equal interval scale, called the RIT scale for Rasch UnIT—a stable measurement, like inches on a ruler, that covers all grades." Quoted information is excerpted from the Introduction to MAPS brochure linked below.
ARRSD is using the math assessment portion of MAPS at the K-4 elementary level, along with mid-module and end of module math assesments from our Eureka program to monitor and to adapt or enrich our math instructional programs. Additionally, in grades 5-12, the school district is using both the MAPS reading & math assessments.
To learn more about MAPS assessment visit the NWEA website:
https://www.nwea.org/assessments/map/
Parents Toolkit:
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ParentToolkit_0.pdf
Informational Brochure:
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Introduction-to-MAP-Brochure-SEPT15.pdf
Six Flags Reading Challenge is Underway
To learn more about this program please find information below.
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ProgramOverview.pdf
Parent informational letter:
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ParentLetter.pdf
Last week for donations to the Caring Paws Club
From January 11 to February 11 Pleasant Street School will be collecting the following to donate to an area animal shelter.
- Dog & cat food and feeding supplies
- Grooming supplies- brushes, combs, trimmers
- Leashes, collars, or harnesses
- Bedding supplies- clean, used towels, blankets, or sheets
- Cat Litter and trays that would be used for litter boxes
- Cleaning supplies
All students who bring in animal supplies will be given a button, "I helped saved animals" made by the Caring Paws Club.
So you know- the Caring Paws club is a group that was formed over a year ago by some now third grade friends at Pleasant Street. The focus of their civic minded club is to put an an end to kill shelters.
Catch of the Day!
Pleasant Street Report Card
Pleasant Street Report Card
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Pleasant-Street-reportcard-2015.pdf
Accountability Letter
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Title-1-accountability-2015-2016.pdf
February Vacation Ideas!
February 17th- 5:00-8:00 pm, Munch & Move at the Athol /Orange Elks, 92 New Athol Rd.
This event is brought to you by the North Quabbin Community Coalition Childrens' Health & Wellness Taskforce and area sponsors and includes dinner, music, games, and much more! For more information please contact (978) 249-3703. (This is not a school sponsored event but is listed as a public service).
Partipate in our Six Flags Reading Challenge
An informational sheet and reading log form has been sent. The log form must be complete with all required information (with legible print!) and turned into the school office no later than February 22 for your child to qualify for the free ticket to Six Flags.
We also encourage families to check out the local libraries for events and activities.
You can make a drive-in Movie date! More February Vacation Ideas
Free Breakfast & Lunch
As part of the 2010 Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act, Athol-Royalston Regional School District, along with other districts, now offers free meals to all students this school year.
Menus
- Breakfast menu for February
- Lunch menu for February
Community Events & Postings
Do you have news to share or want to inform members of our school community about family friendly events in our area? if so, please email or forward a flyer or link.
Thank you :)
Mother Goose on the Loose Playgroup-Thursdays 10am—11:30am Valuing Our Children 217 Walnut St. Athol. For more information contact: Jen: 978-249-8467 x 22
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/PG-and-MGOL.pdf
Petersham Playgroup- Beginning on Thursday, Sept. 17th from 10-11:30 at the Petersham Center School. For more information please call Jennifer at Valuing Our Children 978-249-8467 x22
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Petersham-playgroup.pdf
For other local events, happenings, and resources in this area... you can also check the North Quabbin Community Coalition website below:
These are not school sponsored events but are posted here as a public service for families in the greater North Quabbin community.
Upcoming Events...Mark your Calendars!
- Feb. 12, Sock hop dance, school cafe, 6-7:30 pm, sponsored by PTO
- Feb. 12- Student council hosts, "Go for Gold", childhood cancer awareness and benefit event
- February 12- Mad Science Assembly (rescheduled date) sponsored by Pleasant Street PTO
- Feb. 14, Valentines' Day
- Feb. 15-19, Winter recess, no school
- Feb. 22, school resumes
http://www.arrsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CALENDARFOR2015-2016a.pdf
Check back soon for more news!
News from Principal Ellis
Email: dellis@arrsd.org
Website: arrsd.org
Location: 1060 Pleasant Street., Athol, MA 01331
Phone: (978) 249-2405